Downtown JAX and Treaty Oak

Our first day in Jacksonville we went downtown to the St. Johns River. Its a huge river running through downtown with beautiful bridges, boats and sea animals. To get there we rode the Monorail which runs through buildings, next to busy streets - needless to say, Jacob loved it!

Most of the Moody's on the train with us :). As usual, Jacob was the driver. 

This bridge opened to let a sailboat through while we were there - Jacob was mesmerized! It is such a beautiful city. At night, some of the bridges light up in different colors. My brother-in-law, Malcolm's office is on the river, its a lovely view!

We had fun walking along the boardwalk and looking at the boats, birds and fish. Jacob and Katelyn loved chasing the seagulls around. 

While we were there I went on camera with a local news channel. They were making a teaser for their weather report - and I had to say things like "the weather" and "the one every night" (holding my index finger up, of course)...it was fun! So - a bunch of people in Jacksonville get to see me on TV - and the lovely part is, is I don't know any of them, and I never have to look at myself on TV, so its all good. :P

After riding the train back to the car, they took us to Treaty Oak Park. Its a park in the middle of the city and it has one HUGE oak tree that has been there for over 200 years. One of the parks greatest supporters, Jessie Ball DuPont had a quote I loved there at the park. She said "Let there be no resting on laurels. Get on with good work while there is time yet." The entire leafy tree area behind the kids here is one tree...

It was amazing! I have never seen a tree like the before. For those of you who know me, I have a fascination with trees - I love them! I always notice them and I love finding trees I have never seen. It was beautiful, and Jacob thought it was rather incredible as well - we were both having a blast! It took all 9 of us with outstretched arms to circle around the trunk alone. Here is Jacob and his cousins: Ashley, Anna, Lauren, Megan and Katelyn

I could seriously play here for a day. The kids loved being able to climb everywhere. I have to admit I did a little climbing myself :).

I also learned that my sister also shares my love of trees! :) Vera has always been one of my closest and dearest friends. We are 10 years apart in age, but that never seemed to get between us. I have always felt loved and accepted by her for who I am and that has been a great blessing to me all my life. Yay for sisters!! 

Just a picture that I found particularly lovely...

My little man! We had to bribe him with a piece of candy just to get  him to sit still for a minute for a picture. One thing I learned about Jacob on this trip is that he has to be in the right mood to have his picture taken. Thankfully this time the candy worked.

So naturally I had to jump in there before he got the lollipop :). 

After the park we went to dinner at Ollie Koala's. Its like Chuck-E-Cheese, only there pizza was waaaaaay better! :) They also had fun games I had not seen before. Jacob escaped with Ashley to go have fun. They had a huge climbing area that even I was tempted by. 

If there is a vehicle in the room - you can bet Jacob will be driving it!

They also had bumper cars there! Jacob loved them. Once we got him in a car, that's all he played until we had to leave. He picked it up so quickly, and was not afraid to chase cousins and crash into them!